And, keeping it in Toledo, we close tonight with a village protest - but one that has shades of the much larger battle over communal land rights.
The protest happened in Indian Creek Village, Toledo District this evening, and it was organized by the village chairman to coincide with a meeting called by the Alcalde.
The chairman claims the Alcalde is illegitimate and has been voted out by a majority of the villagers. They say the AG has confirmed this, but he still claims to hold the post.
But, the fact is - the village is divided between those who support FPIC agreements with the government and those who don't. We spoke with the chairman before the protest which started at 5:00 pm:
Ernesto Choc, Chairman, Indian Creek
"The former Alcalde has called another meeting again, which is this Alcalde is out of his duty. So that's why the people of Indian Creek have decided to protest. They are saying that why this former Alcalde is still calling a meeting."
Jules Vasquez
"People are saying that the Alcalde has no authority to do this."
Ernesto Choc, Chairman, Indian Creek
"Correct. Because he has already received a letter from the Attorney General stating that he is no longer Alcalde."
Jules Vasquez
"Is this a power struggle between the MLA or TAA and the leadership of the village?"
Interviewee
"Well, Mr. Jules, I do believe that that is the case right here because then the Alcalde had received a letter stating from the Attorney General's ministry, which is he revoked the individual's position and he appointed a new one."
"So they received a letter, they got a letter, and then it seems like they don't want to give up the position. So like what the chairman is saying that we have a few people that strongly associate with the Mayan Leaders Alliance."
"They are the ones that are trying to convince this individual not to remove from his position."
Jules Vasquez
"Good. And so, now you all have to send a strong message with this protest because, you know, it will be said that you all don't have the support of the villagers. Are you all organizing to make a strong showing at this evening's protest?"
Interviewee
"Well, that's basically what's going to happen. We believe we have the majority that will come out later on this evening at about 5 p.m. that will coincide with the meeting that the former Alcalde is calling. So we believe that we're going to have supporters to show whoever is behind this that let the community voice be respected."
We'll reach out to the Alcalde for the other side of this story tomorrow.
